Last year, the left fielders for the Los Angeles Dodgers put up a 99 wRC+. That number is actually flattering because Andy Pages managed to do some of his best work (226 wRC+) in his short time away from center field, in 64 plate appearances. Whether Kyle Tucker comes in to play left or we’ll see Teoscar Hernández make the shift to left, as neither one of them has played the position with any sort of regularity in the bigs, that production is what Tucker comes in to replace. Michael Conforto was the primary left fielder for the Dodgers last season, and we all know how well that turned out, given his complete absence on the postseason roster.
While we could have a lengthier conversation about what Tucker’s specific contract represents as MLB gears up for, at the bare minimum, some tense negotiations between owners and the MLBPA in the near future, there’s plenty to unpack on the field. Yet another perennial All-Star added to this collection of great players, Tucker only enhances the bullseye on the Dodgers’ back, if that was even possible.
Tucker is a fascinating example of a baseball player who makes the most out of his natural abilities. Not necessarily the fastest, Tucker has stolen 25-plus bases consistently for the past four seasons, with the exception of a 2024 campaign cut in half due to an injury. Nowhere near the top of the leaderboards when it comes to exit velocity, Tucker gets to enough power to have a .507 slugging percentage in his career, a master of pulling the ball in the air. Reliably, the former Astro and Cub also has outstanding plate discipline, accumulating nearly as many walks (223) as strikeouts (234) over the last three seasons — that particular aspect of his game has been evolving since his early days with Houston.
Over the last two seasons, for large enough samples, Tucker looked on his way to taking steps forward from the established 4.5/5.0 win player he’s been since 2021 into an even higher level as a perennial MVP candidate—only for it to fall short on that endeavor. Twice, injuries could be seen as the culprit in limiting the impact that was still rather impressive.
Back in 2024, his last season with the Astros, Tucker was magnificent in the first half, hitting 19 home runs with a near-1.000 OPS by June 3rd. Sadly, a right shin fracture, which was initially misdiagnosed as a contusion, kept him out until September, much later than initially hoped. What looked to be Tucker’s best season was cut short. This past season, once again, Tucker appeared set to take that step forward in the first half, hitting 17 homers, stealing 20 bags, and posting a .931 OPS through the end of June. From July onwards, though, Tucker started slumping, and while it’s only speculative, there’s a chance a hairline fracture he suffered on his right hand in early June affected his performance in the second half. Tucker played through the issue, arguing it was primarily a pain-tolerance problem, and his struggles in the second half could have nothing to do with it, but the possibility can’t be totally ruled out.
Having said all of this, the positive sign is that, even in a season with such a prolonged slump as he had last year (.378 slugging percentage in the second half), Tucker was able to put up his standard 4.5 fWAR campaign. While it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see Tucker produce career-high numbers if he can sustain the evolution he’s shown since 2024 for a full campaign, whichever version of Tucker the Dodgers get, he’s going to provide a massive boost to this lineup. His addition will help take some of the pressure off Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and company. Furthermore, as we touched on it a bit when discussing who the fans preferred between Bo Bichette and Tucker here, on top of everything else, Tucker is as great as it gets when it comes to left-on-left crime — Tucker is the rare left-handed hitter who looks completely unfazed batting against southpaws (career .842 against LHP).
The Dodgers needed help in the outfield, and they signed the top-ranked free agent on the market to fill that need.
Each squad made more than 40% from three, and a trio of players — Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and Charlotte's LaMelo Ball — knocked down at least five each.
The seven-point Golden State win started a stretch for Charlotte that has seen the Hornets go 7-2 ATS. On the flip side, it started a four-game ATS losing streak for the Warriors, though Golden State has bounced back to win four of its last five ATS.
The Hornets haven't just been winning and covering on the road; they've been bullying teams. In addition to the 124-97 win at NBA-leading OKC, the Hornets won at Chicago by 13.
On this trip, they beat the Lakers 135-117 and dismantled Utah, winning by 55.
Golden State will have Curry available. That was up in the air briefly after he limped away from Thursday's game with a quad contusion.
However, coach Steve Kerr confirmed Curry would be available for Saturday. The only injury issue for Golden State is Gui Santos, who will miss the game with a sprained ankle.
He contributes 11 minutes and 3.7 points per game, so it's not likely to sway things one way or the other.
Hornets vs Warriors same-game parlay
This point's total cutoff inspired a double-take. Yes, Charlotte and Golden State combined for 257 points two weeks ago, and yes, both teams are outstanding three-point shooters.
However, Golden State plays at the No. 18 pace in the league, and Charlotte is even slower, ranking No. 25 in tempo. Neither team will be pushing the ball, and Golden State has only one cutoff higher in its last six games.
Charlotte has had lower cutoffs in three of its last five. That New Year's Eve shootout is fresh in people's minds, and pushing tonight's game total too high creates opportunity.
LaMelo Ball put up 54 three-point attempts in the last four games, making 24. He's taken at least seven threes in 15 straight games and made four or more in 10 of them.
Hornets vs Warriors SGP
Hornets +7
LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 threes
Under 234
Our "from downtown" SGP: Curry no Favor!
Nothing against Curry, who is still the league's premier sharpshooter, but this is another case of the New Year's Eve game swaying people and creating an opportunity.
Curry has made five or more threes just twice in the eight games (he missed one of them) since the last Hornets matchup. Overall, he's done it just four times in his last 14 games, and he's hampered by a quad contusion.
Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)
Hornets vs Warriors betting trend to know
The Hornets have hit the moneyline in seven of their last 11 away games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Warriors.
How to watch Hornets vs Warriors
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE-CHA, NBCSBA
Hornets vs Warriors latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Frank Lampard hailed Coventry’s win against Leicester as “massive” after Haji Wright’s first goal since early October secured a 2-1 victory. Jordan James had opened the scoring for the visitors before Ellis Simms equalised shortly after half-time. Wright came off the bench to grab an 85th-minute winner as Coventry claimed a much-needed three points after a run of two victories in eight.
“It was a massive win because it was a tough match,” said Lampard. “They’re a quality team, you can’t get fooled by their league position because if they turn up and play well they give you problems. They gave us problems in the first half which makes us happier that we had half-time, dealt tactically with the problems and the feeling of the game and owned it in the second half.
The Montreal Canadiens make the short trek to the Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators tonight.
This marks the third meeting between these two Atlantic Division rivals after they split the first two games.
My Canadiens vs. Senators predictions point to continued struggles for the middling Senators, with Habs defenseman Noah Dobson remaining a force on the blue line.
Read more in my NHL picks for Saturday, January 17.
Canadiens vs Senators prediction
Canadiens vs Senators best bet: Noah Dobson Over 2.5 blocked shots (+135 at Bet99)
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson leads the NHL in blocked shots (122) and is in the midst of a particularly hot stretch.
The 26-year-old has blocked 26 shots over his last eight games, cashing the Over in seven of them.
Given the reliability of this player prop, it offers serious value at plus odds. The Ottawa Senators also rank 13th in the league in shots on goal.
Habs rookie Oliver Kapanen paces all first-year players with 16 goals and is enjoying a particularly trigger-happy stretch. The Finn has matched Alexander Ovechkin in shots on goal over the past two weeks, cashing the Over in six of his last seven games.
Kapanen is the primary shooter on the Canadiens’ second line, with Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky showing no hesitation in feeding the 22-year-old. He’s firmly established himself as a shoot-first option.
The Habs have scored the fourth-most goals away from home, own an impressive 13-5-6 road record, and sit tied for third in points percentage. Meanwhile, Ottawa has recently spiraled to the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
Montreal has prevailed in four of the last six head-to-head meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Senators.
How to watch Canadiens vs Senators
Location
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
CITY
Canadiens vs Senators latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Lukas Nmecha stepped off the bench to fire a stoppage-time winner as Leeds marked their tribute to Terry Yorath with a valuable win The striker, an 81st-minute replacement for Jayden Bogle, latched on to Ethan Ampadu’s cross in the first minute of added time to clinch victory, which keeps Leeds eight points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Leeds dominated after an even first half, but by failing to take their chances it appeared Fulham would extend their unbeaten run to seven league matches.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to be without William Nylander for the next couple of games.
Toronto had an optional morning skate on Saturday in Winnipeg ahead of their matchup against the Jets. The Athletic's Joshua Kloke reported that Calle Jarnkrok will draw into the lineup for Nylander, who reaggravated a lower-body injury on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said, via Kloke, that Nylander is also unlikely to play against the Minnesota Wild at home on Monday.
Maple Leafs lineup news tonight against the Jets: Dennis Hildeby starts. Calle Jarnkrok in the lineup. No Simon Benoit.
Craig Berube said William Nylander is not only out of the lineup tonight but also unlikely for Monday’s game against the Wild.
"I mean, right now, I don't expect him to be in today for sure. Monday, probably not," Berube told reporters on Saturday morning. "I don't know how long it's going to be."
Nylander missed six straight games with the lower-body injury before returning to Toronto's lineup on Jan. 10 against the Vancouver Canucks. He's appeared in the Maple Leafs' last four games, registering three goals and seven points in that span.
Two of those points — a goal and an assist — came in the first period against the Golden Knights before leaving the game with the injury.
Jarnkrok last appeared in Toronto's lineup against the Utah Mammoth (and scored), with Nick Robertson out after blocking a shot one night earlier vs. the Colorado Avalanche. The veteran forward has six goals in 28 games this season.
Dennis Hildeby is set to start for Toronto in Winnipeg, his first appearance since the 6-1 loss to the Mammoth on Jan. 13. The 24-year-old stopped 35 of 41 shots against in that game.
"That was more on us as a team than him," Berube said Saturday morning. "I think he was under siege pretty good there, and I thought he made a lot of really good saves. But for me, like I talked about, his game has really grown.
"I think he's building more and more confidence and understanding the league a lot better. I really like a lot of what he's done."
Also not in the lineup tonight is Simon Benoit, Kloke reports. Benoit was a late scratch on Thursday against the Golden Knights due to an upper-body injury, despite attending Toronto's skate earlier that morning.
With Benoit set to miss his second straight game, Philippe Myers likely will remain in Toronto's lineup. Myers was paired alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson against Vegas and had 16:48 of ice time in the overtime loss.
With Nylander out for what's likely the next two games, it's expected that Jacob Quillan will join the Maple Leafs in Winnipeg later today. He'll be the extra forward whilst Nylander is injured.
Quillan has played three games with the Maple Leafs this season — two in November and one in December — and is yet to register a point. The 23-year-old has been strong with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, scoring eight goals and 27 points in 28 games.
The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-born forward has played four career NHL games, averaging 7:25 of ice time.
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs Date: January 17th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Location: Frost Bank Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There are losses where you shrug, chalk it up as a schedule loss, and move on. And then there are losses that linger because you know exactly how winnable they were.
Friday night in Houston fell squarely into the second category. Not because Minnesota got embarrassed. They didn’t. Not because Kevin Durant did Kevin Durant things. That’s the job description. It was frustrating because the Wolves had the game right there, in their hands, on a night when they were missing Anthony Edwards, and still managed to let it slip away. There’s no shame in losing to one of the West’s best teams when your top-five superstar is out. There is frustration in losing a game you could have stolen because the second half turned into a self-inflicted unraveling.
And the real kicker? Houston was on the second night of a back-to-back, coming off a loss to Oklahoma City the night before. This was supposed to be the “tired legs, heavy shots, Wolves run them off the floor” script. For a half, it looked like that’s exactly where it was headed. Minnesota was locked in defensively with Rudy Gobert swallowing up looks around the rim like Houston had tried to shoot a basketball through a black hole. The Wolves were moving the ball, pushing the pace, turning misses into transition chances, and playing like the grown-up January version of themselves.
Then the second half happened.
The refs turned things into a disjointed, foul-heavy, rhythm-free slog in the third. Minnesota never recovered its rhythm. The ball movement evaporated. The tempo slowed. And the Wolves, who had an opportunity to pressure tired legs, force Houston to chase, and turn this into a track meet, did the exact opposite. They let Houston pack the paint, load up on Julius Randle, swarm him on every bully-ball drive, and choke the oxygen out of the offense.
And look: Randle filled the stat sheet, sure. But he also turned into a black hole in the worst way, forcing looks against multiple defenders, occasionally coughing it up, and leaving everyone else watching instead of participating. It was like the offense got reduced to one guy trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with boxing gloves on, while everyone else stood around.
The most brutal part? The free throws. Minnesota shot 57% from the line. That’s not “bad for an NBA team,” that’s “bad for a high school team.” The Wolves left 15 points at the stripe. Rudy went 2-for-10. That’s the kind of stat that makes you check the box score twice because you assume you misread it. If Minneosta hits even a third of those misses, you’re talking overtime or a road win you had no business getting without Ant.
So yes, the loss is frustrating. But it also tells you something important: Minnesota can hang with Houston even shorthanded. If Ant plays, that matchup looks very different. If the Wolves simply don’t self-destruct at the line, that game probably swings.
Unfortunately, now there’s no time to sulk. Because the second leg of the Texas two-step is waiting, and it’s the bigger one: Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs, and a rematch that comes with real standings consequences.
After the Houston slip-up, Minnesota is now 1.5 games back of Denver and San Antonio, who are tied for the two/three seeds. There won’t be any standings leapfrogging on Saturday night, but there is a chance to stop the bleeding and close the gap, as well as a very real risk of getting swept through Texas if Anthony Edwards can’t go as he battles his toe infection.
This is where the weekend turns from “slightly annoying” to “could spiral fast if you’re not careful.”
So yeah. Big game. Again.
And with that, here are the keys.
Keys to the Game
#1: Hit your free throws. I cannot believe we’re back here. This is an NBA team fighting for top-three positioning and they’re treating the charity stripe like it’s a haunted house. Minnesota’s free throw ineptitude is not just ugly, it’s actively cost them games against their own conference rivals in OKC and Houston. In two of the biggest measuring-stick games they’ve played, the Wolves have basically spotted the opponent points like they’re donating to a cause. And now they go into San Antonio, potentially without Ant, on the road, against an elite team, and you’re telling me they’re going to win while giving away free points? No. If they shoot like that again, it’s over before the fourth quarter even arrives.
#2: Don’t cower to Wembanyama. Last week, Minnesota started down 16–0 because they looked like they were trying to solve Wembanyama instead of playing basketball. Everything was hesitant. Everything was off-kilter. They weren’t getting their normal looks, and you could feel the intimidation factor creep into the shot selection, like the rim was guarded by a 7’4 French demogorgon. The Wolves can’t do that again. They’ve now had the experience of seeing how the game changes when Victor is on vs. off the floor. They need to use it. Attack with purpose. Don’t settle into the “we’ll just jack threes and hope” offense. And Julius Randle needs to tap into what worked late last game with the bully-ball defense, the physicality, and the “I’m not moving for you” attitude that sent Wembanyama into baby giraffe mode.
#3: Move the ball like the game depends on it — because it kind of does. Houston was a masterclass in what happens when Minnesota’s offense stagnates. The disjointed third quarter killed the rhythm, Randle became the whole offense, and everyone else got iced out. McDaniels and DiVincenzo basically became spectators. That can’t happen again, especially with Wembanyama looming behind every drive like a skyscraper with arms. Whether Ant plays or not, this has to be a team offense. Randle can score, yes, but his superpower is using his gravity to create open threes and easy looks when the defense collapses. If he’s just trying to bully through triple teams for 48 minutes, you’re playing right into San Antonio’s hands.
#4: Win the non-Wemby minutes like it’s a separate game inside the game. This was the biggest tell last time: the Wolves looked like two different teams depending on whether Wembanyama was on the floor. When he sat, Minnesota’s offense suddenly breathed again. Spacing improved, driving lanes opened, and the Spurs’ defense looked human. The Wolves have to treat those non-Wemby minutes like a hunting license. Attack immediately. Push the pace. Go on runs. Make it hurt when he rests. They’ve used this receipe before against Denver with Jokic. Survive the star minutes, dominate the bench minutes, and steal the game in the margins.
#5: Naz Reid has to be the spark plug again. Naz was a beast from deep against Houston, one of the only guys keeping the offense from fully dying when the rhythm disappeared. If Ant can’t go, Naz becomes even more important as a scorer, as a spacing weapon, and now, increasingly, as a defender. His defensive effort has legitimately stepped up over this January stretch. Randle will draw bodies. Rudy will get his easy looks and offensive boards. But Naz is the guy who can bend a defense with quick threes and inside-out scoring, especially against lineups where San Antonio’s secondary defenders are vulnerable.
#6: Keep your emotions in check. These teams got chippy last weekend. Rudy picked up the flagrant that pushed him over the limit and got him suspended. That’s not just a “whoops.” That’s a real consequence. Now you’re heading into a high-stakes rematch, coming off a frustrating loss where the refs already turned one quarter into a whistle-fest, and emotions could be running hot. Minnesota cannot get baited. They cannot give away free throws, techs, or foul trouble minutes. And they certainly do not need Gobert sniffing another flagrant situation. Play tough. Play physical. Play smart.
The Finish
Here’s the truth: this is the kind of game that tells you whether Minnesota’s January reinvention is real, or whether it’s just a hot stretch that collapses the second the margin tightens.
Because yeah, it’s hard to see the Wolves stealing a road back-to-back against a team as talented as San Antonio without Anthony Edwards. That’s just math. That’s just reality. But this is also the NBA, where weird stuff happens every night and the team with the sharper edge wins more games than the team with the prettier roster.
Minnesota already proved last week they can come back from the dead against these guys — down 19, staring at the abyss, and somehow winning 104–103 by executing like a real contender. That wasn’t luck. That was poise. That was grown-up basketball. That was Julius Randle bodying Wembanyama and Ant hitting another “I own this moment” shot.
Now they have to do it again, on the road, with less margin, more fatigue, and a whole lot more pressure.
If they hit free throws. If they move the ball. If they win the non-Wemby minutes. If they don’t melt down emotionally. If Naz gives them juice. If Julius balances bully ball with facilitation instead of turning into a black hole…
They can absolutely punch San Antonio in the mouth and make them prove they can take it.
And if the Wolves somehow pull this off without Ant? That’s not just a win.
That’s a statement about who they are — and who they’re becoming.
SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Nika Egadze of Georgia will head to next month's Winter Olympics as the European figure skating champion after a dominant win by nearly 17 points on Saturday.
Skating last after rivals made mistakes, Egadze needed only to avoid glaring errors to secure gold but delivered a personal-best free skate, landing four high-scoring quadruple jumps and scoring 181.72 points for a total of 273.
Egadze dived onto the ice and slid on his chest to cheers from the crowd as he left after the skate.
“When I came to the ice it was a little bit shaky,” Egadze said. “I just remembered the words of my coaches, I just need to enjoy the moment.”
It was the second gold medal of the championships for the former Soviet nation of Georgia after Egadze's friends Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava won the pairs on Thursday.
Matteo Rizzo took the silver for Italy on 256.37, his fourth career medal at the European championships.
Georgii Reshtenko of the Czech Republic had never placed higher than ninth at a major championships but smashed his personal best with 238.27 for a surprise bronze, beating defending champion Lukas Britschgi of Switzerland into fourth.
Estonian brothers Aleksandr and Mihhail Selevko were second and third behind Egadze following Thursday's short program but both fell in the free skate and dropped to fifth and sixth overall as they failed to match fellow Estonian Niina Petrokina's win in the women's competition.
The championships conclude with the free dance in the ice dance later Saturday.
Christian Koloko has found a new landing spot in the NBA.
The former Arizona Wildcats big man has signed on with the Atlanta Hawks on a two-way contract. Koloko became available after the Memphis Grizzlies didn’t resign him following the expiration of a second 10-day contract.
Koloko will be hoping for a longer stay with Atlanta after starting the year with the Los Angeles Lakers, then playing a short stint with Memphis. In 13 games this season, Koloko is averaging 2.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 15.5 minutes.
Koloko joins a 20-23 Hawks team that is contention for a playoff spot midway through the season despite trading away star point guard Trae Young to Washington earlier this month. Koloko will compete with Onyeka Okongwu, Mouhamed Geuye and Asa Newell for minutes at the center position.
Atlanta is the fourth NBA team Koloko has played for, after starting his career with the Toronto Raptors. Toronto drafted Koloko 33rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Koloko was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year in his final year at Arizona.
The Buffalo Sabres recent surge into the postseason conversation presents an interesting dilemma for GM Jarmo Kekalainen. The Sabres have won 15 of their last 17 games and are currently in a wildcard spot in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, but based on Kekalainen’s comments when he took over from Kevyn Adams over a month ago, he is not willing to make moves just to snap the league-record 14-year playoff drought.
“We're not going to sacrifice the ultimate goal for the sake of making the playoffs and then not having any sustainability for our goal as a team to take the next step and having the opportunity and chance to compete for the Stanley Cup." Kekalainen said. "We're going to have a plan, and the plan is going to be to win the Stanley Cup, and we're not going to take any shortcuts to try to just make the playoffs, to end the drought.
Similar to his situation in Columbus, Kekalainen has the issue of a franchise that has difficulty attracting and retaining free agents, which could be a factor before the Olympic trade freeze or before the March 6th trade deadline. An article in the Athletic on Friday pondered whether the Sabres GM would repeat history and keep a pending unrestricted free agent like Alex Tuch as an own-rental for a playoff run, with the prospect of losing him for nothing in July, or trade him before the deadline for a potential package of draft picks, prospects, and/or young NHL players.
Kekalainen did keep pending UFA’s Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky for a playoff run in 2019, but the Sabres are in a different place in their development with Tuch and cannot afford to lose a valuable asset for the cost of one playoff run. There has been little indication of any progress between the club and the 29-year-old winger on an extension, as reportedly, Tuch is looking for an eight-year deal in the same neighborhood as LA’s Adrian Kempe’s eight-year, $85 million deal ($10.625 million AAV).
Ironically, Panarin is potentially the top rental on the trade market, but the veteran winger has a no-movement clause that will limit the teams he could go to. Tuch has no trade protection, which could put Kekalainen in an advantageous position before March 6.
The NHL posted an interesting anecdote on their NHL Edge website recently, promoting Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson’s skating ability.
According to their data, during the Senators’ game against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night, Sanderson reached the top skating speed by an NHL defenceman this season at 24.37 miles per hour (MPH).
NHL Edge has captured data on the league since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, and over the five years it has recorded data, Sanderson’s skating speed is the second-highest ever by a defenceman. His mark trails Quinn Hughes’ 24.56 MPH.
Sanderson was aware that he had set the record, and he could recall the exact moment when it happened in Tuesday’s game. It occurred during a shift in the third period when he carried the puck down and around the Vancouver net.
“I knew I was going fast,” Sanderson recalled. “But, I didn’t know I was going that fast.”
Thanks to the NHL’s player-monitoring and tracking sensors, that information is readily available to players.
The speed data is something that Sanderson talks about all the time with David Perron.
“The speed stuff we like to be aware of,” the defenceman admitted. "We joked about it a month ago and started talking about (skating speeds). It's really nothing, but it is kind of cool to look back at your history. For me, it kind of makes me want to get my legs going and make sure I'm sprinting out there.”
Jake’s father, Geoff, played 1,104 games across 17 seasons in the NHL, where the two-time All-Star was renowned for his speed.
X.com/BuffaloSabres, Empire
Credit genetics or the work habits of Jake, but his father played a large role in his development as a child.
“At a young age, I did a lot of power skating,” Sanderson said. “At the time, it was very boring. Obviously, when you're younger, you want to be able to shoot pucks and play games.
“My dad always taught me and my brothers that skating is the number one thing. My older brother Ben was probably faster than I was. He just flew around, and in my teen years, he was a big role model for me because of how he trained. I look up to him a lot.”
In terms of all skaters this season, Sanderson’s recorded speed is the third-highest in the league behind Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (24.61 MPH) and Utah’s Logan Cooley (24.38 MPH).
Being mentioned in the same breath as McDavid when discussing skating is an impressive accomplishment in the sport.
“It's cool,” Sanderson acknowledged. “With guys like McDavid and (Nathan) MacKinnon, those top speeds are more natural to them, and they're hitting it probably every game. They're also handling the puck just as fast, which makes it even more impressive.
“But yeah, it's pretty cool to see (my name and metrics approach theirs).
Senators fans and observers are unlikely to be surprised by Sanderson’s placement.
The blueliner often draws comparisons to Hall of Fame defenceman Scott Niedermayer for his efficient and smooth skating. Sanderson ranks in the 99th percentile in max skating speed, 22-plus MPH bursts, 20 to 22 MPH bursts, and 18 to 20 MPH bursts. The 23-year-old leads all NHL defencemen in 22-plus mph speed bursts (24) and is second among blueliners in 20-plus mph speed bursts (153), trailing only the Islanders’ rookie phenom, Matthew Schaefer (169).
It is that skating ability that helps Sanderson get back quickly to retrieve and break pucks out of the defensive zone. Clean zone exits and entries have quickly become hallmarks of the defenceman’s game.
“(Skating) can be a huge advantage,” Sanderson described. “It goes back to the saying, ‘If you can’t skate, you can’t play.’ It's also not just the exits, it's being able to get open for (Artem Zub) or sprinting to a spot on retrievals and making it easier on him to make plays.”
Sanderson’s skating has also allowed him to expand his offensive game.
Successful entries lead to more opportunities for sustained possession in the offensive zone. His speed and skating also afford him chances to join the attack and create odd-man rushes.
Sanderson established career highs in goals (11) and points (57) last season, but through 46 regular season games, he appears poised to smash those totals as he is on pace for 16 goals and 62 points.
In the past, Sanderson has downplayed his offensive game relative to defencemen like Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes, whose offensive production has dominated the Norris Trophy conversation. In saying that, there is no mistaking the growth in Sanderson’s offensive game over the past few years.
It still feels like there is room for development, because using his speed to make plays and create separation in the offensive zone is something he wants to do more frequently. It is also a point of emphasis that the Senators’ coaching staff has encouraged as well.
“I have to continue to do more of it and use my speed in the offensive zone,” Sanderson said. “That is something I’ve got to work on. Obviously, you don't want to force things, and you need to read the situation and the play. But if you have legs, you have the gas, and you can make it an odd-man rush, go ahead.”
Sanderson finished top-10 in Norris Trophy balloting last season, but if his offensive production can continue to evolve, he will only continue to garner more attention and votes in future candidacies.
Graeme Nichols The Hockey News - Ottawa
This story is from The Hockey News Ottawa. You can visit the site here or click on one of their latest articles below:
The New York Knicks will look to snap a two-game losing streak as they host the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
Phoenix is also on a two-game skid, but has been playing well for bettors as of late, and I’m taking it to cover again in my Suns vs. Knicks predictions below.
Read on to see my full analysis of tonight’s game and get my free NBA picks for Saturday, January 17.
Suns vs Knicks prediction
Suns vs Knicks best bet: Suns +3.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks are currently suffering through their worst stretch of the season, having lost seven of their last nine games. New York hasn’t been playing well at all on defense lately, giving up 119.0 ppg over that nine-game stretch.
That would be concerning enough in general, but the Knicks have also been without Jalen Brunson for nearly the entirety of the last two games, and their star is questionable again tonight with a sprained ankle.
The Phoenix Suns have had its own injury issues to deal with, as Devin Booker also missed Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat with his own sprained ankle. Like Brunson, Booker remains questionable for Saturday’s game.
But unlike the Knicks, the Suns are playing well on the defensive end right now. The Suns are allowing just 112.0 ppg to opponents on the year, and have limited seven of their last eight opponents to under 110 points. That has coincided with a span in which they have covered the spread in seven of eight games as well.
New York hasn’t been able to figure out its defensive problems, and they will struggle to keep up against Phoenix’s defense with or without Brunson in the lineup. I’m not quite bold enough to pick the Suns to win outright, but I do love the visitors to cover tonight.
Suns vs Knicks same-game parlay
The Suns have been playing well defensively and finishing with notably low totals as of late, hitting the Under in six of their last seven games, so I’ll add the Under to my SGP tonight.
I’m also backing Dillon Brooks to hit his scoring total, as he’s gone for 21+ points in three of his last five games and may get a bit more usage than normal with Devin Booker still listed as questionable with an ankle sprain.
Suns vs Knicks SGP
Suns +3.5
Under 225.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: The Brooks takeover
Brooks may only be averaging 3.3 rebounds per game this season, but he’s collected four or more in five of his last seven games, making him a solid pick to hit the Over in a longshot SGP tonight.
Suns vs Knicks SGP
Suns +3.5
Under 225.5
Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 points
Dillon Brooks Over 3.5 rebounds
Suns vs Knicks odds
Spread: Phoenix +3.5 (-115) | New York -3.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Phoenix +135 | New York -160
Over/Under: Over 225 (-110) | Under 225 (-110)
Suns vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Suns have gone 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Knicks.
How to watch Suns vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Suns vs Knicks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The Oklahoma City Thunder may have lapsed into cruise control briefly, but the defending champs have their swagger back as they visit the Miami Heat tonight – and that’s bad news for the rest of the league.
OKC brings a five-game win streak to South Beach, and my Thunder vs. Heat predictions point to the visitors’ bench grinding down a Miami team that will be shorthanded in the backcourt.
Take a closer look at this January 17 matchup with my free NBA picks and betting tips.
Thunder vs Heat prediction
Thunder vs Heat best bet: Ajay Mitchell Over 12.5 points (+100)
After a quieter December, Mitchell has found this rhythm again this month, and I love the Over on his points prop tonight against the Miami Heat. He’s averaging 14.8 PPG so far in 2026 and finished with 17 points on Thursday against the Houston Rockets.
The visitors’ second unit feels like the X-factor here, and Mitchell is the one dynamic bucket-getter in that group. He’s also shown a willingness to be more aggressive on the road, where his scoring jumps to 15.2 PPG, with a 37% mark from 3-point range.
The Miami defense represents a favorable matchup, too. The hosts rank in the bottom third of the NBA in points allowed per game (117.8), and they’ve coughed up 119+ points in five straight contests.
Mitchell has gone past this number in four of his last five outings, and he poured in 16 points on 8-for-15 shooting in last weekend’s win over the Heat. He’s poised to have a similar impact in this rematch, and the absence of Miami’s Davion Mitchell leaves the hosts without much bite on the perimeter to bother the OKC guards.
Thunder vs Heat same-game parlay
The Heat’s 14-7 mark at Kaseya Center looks persuasive here until you remember that the Thunder are 15-4 on the road. OKC covered the spread in statement wins over the Spurs and Rockets this week, while Miami has lost four of its past five contests and has injury doubts around Tyler Herro. I’m laying the points in this SGP.
I’ll double down on the Thunder bench with the Over on Cason Wallace's points tally. Wallace hasn’t chipped in with much scoring this month, but he drilled a pair of 3-pointers in consecutive games. He’s also a candidate for easy transition baskets against the fast-paced Heat.
Thunder vs Heat SGP
Ajay Mitchell Over 12.5 points
Thunder -10.5
Cason Wallace Over 6.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bam turns provider
Bam Adebayo has dished 4+ dimes in three straight games, including the Heat’s loss in OKC last Sunday. Look for a further uptick in his playmaking if Herro is ruled out, with Bam operating as a steady passing hub at the top of the key.
Thunder vs Heat SGP
Ajay Mitchell Over 12.5 points
Thunder -10.5
Cason Wallace Over 6.5 points
Bam Adebayo Over 3.5 assists
Thunder vs Heat odds
Spread: Thunder -10.5 | Heat +10.5
Moneyline: Thunder -450 | Heat +350
Over/Under: Over 233.5 | Under 233.5
Thunder vs Heat betting trend to know
The Thunder have won each of the last five meetings with the Heat. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Heat.
How to watch Thunder vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN
Thunder vs Heat latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The best thing about the Sacramento Kings is that the Wizards can say, “At least we’re not the Sacramento Kings.”
Yes, the Kings beat the Wizards, 128-115 last night. It was their 12th victory of the year — just two more than the Wizards. But Sacramento has been bad while also being the league’s third oldest team (weighted for minutes). The Wizards at bad and young, which means they can still peddle hope. The Kings don’t even have that.
Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington played a solid game in the team’s loss to the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings have no hope of being good with their current roster. They need to sell off their veterans for young players and draft picks. Their challenge is similar to where Washington was when Michael Winger and Will Dawkins took the helm — the older guys are pretty good with limitations and flaws, but their contracts are out of line with their production.
Their biggest challenge is the poor leadership of their owner Vivek Ranadive, which is something that likely won’t be rectified until he sells the team.
The game itself was at least somewhat entertaining. The Kings went on a 19-0 run to close the first quarter with a 19-point advantage. The teams played more or less even the rest of the way — the Wizards closing the gap to under five points a couple times in the second half. Each time, Sacramento responded with a run of their own to expand the margin.
It’s hard to overstate how bad Washington’s defense was in this one. The Kings entered the game with the league’s second worst offense, and with a generous helping of open and wide-open shots, posted a 128 offensive rating (points per possession x 100). That’s 18 points above their season average, and more than 12 points above league average.
The Kings achieved this absurd efficiency despite committing 18 turnovers and shooting just 19-30 on free throws. They connected on 15-31 (48.4%) from three-point range and posted an effective field goal percentage of 67.3%.
Russell Westbrook, a career 30.8% three-point shooter, shot 6-9 from deep, which boosted his three-point percentage this season to 35.7%.
Overall, the Wizards got decent production from their starting group (missing Khris Middleton and Bilal Coulibaly). Their bench — with the exception of Malaki Branham, who played probably the best game of his career — was a disaster.
Thoughts & Observations
Credit to head coach Brian Keefe for some tank-tastic lineup choices. For several (disastrous) minutes, he had a group out there that include AJ Johnson, Will Riley, Jamir Watkins, and Marvin Bagley III. I think the fifth was Bub Carrington. That grouping meant they had no one who could threaten the defense or lead an effective offense.
The Wizards were -22 in Johnson’s 11 minutes of action.
They were -19 in 22 minutes with Riley on the floor.
Carrington played 38 minutes and took just four shots, but was still productive overall with 9 assists and 2 steals.
Carrington has an odd mix of attributes. He’s 6-4 and rebounds at a level that suggests good size, strength, athleticism and competitiveness. He defends like a small, slow, weak guy — bigger players score at will when he defends in the post, quicker players drive with little resistance, his closeout are ineffective. He rarely drives, generates paint touches or gets shots at the rim, but is still an above-average playmaker. He’s shot well from deep, but has been astonishingly bad converting the few inside shots he gets.
While I liked seeing Justin Champagnie in the starting lineup, and his overall production was decent, I thought his defensive work was subpar — especially early in the game.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
WIZARDS
KINGS
LGAVG
eFG%
55.0%
67.3%
54.4%
OREB%
17.5%
30.8%
26.2%
TOV%
11.0%
18.0%
12.8%
FTM/FGA
0.178
0.235
0.212
PACE
100
99.7
ORTG
115
128
115.7
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is 115.1. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 114, the league — on average — would produced 22.8 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -2.8.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
This is the fourth and final meeting between these two flawed-but-feisty Western Conference also-rans. Dallas won Game 3 of the season series just two days ago in a 144–122 blowout behind Klay Thompson’s 26 points and an unexpected 3-point deluge. Utah leads the season series 2–1, but both wins came at home — one in overtime, one in a 116–114 squeaker.
Both teams are missing key frontcourt pieces, but Dallas is especially decimated. Dereck Lively and AD are out. Gafford and Flagg are both doubtful. And Kyrie still hasn’t returned from knee surgery. That leaves the Mavs trying to scrape together a frontcourt from Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and a prayer that Max Christie has gotten over the recent illness.
The Jazz, for their part, are now missing Markkanen, Kessler, and Niang — leaving Brice Sensabaugh and Keyonte George to carry much of the load.
🏀 Fixture, Odds and Injuries
Utah Jazz (14–27, 5–15 Away) @ Dallas Mavericks (16–26, 12–11 Home) 📍 American Airlines Center — Dallas, TX 🕓 4:10 PM CST, Jan 17 📺 KFAA-TV / NBA App
📊 DraftKings Odds (as of 8:00 AM CST) UTA +3.5 (−110) | o241.5 (−112) | ML +136 DAL −3.5 (−110) | u241.5 (−108) | ML −162
🩻 Injury Report Highlights Mavericks: Cooper Flagg (ankle) — Doubtful Daniel Gafford (ankle) — Doubtful Dereck Lively II — Out (foot surgery) Kyrie Irving — Out (knee) Anthony Davis — Out (hand) P.J. Washington — Probable Max Christie — Probable Jazz: Lauri Markkanen — Out Walker Kessler — Out Georges Niang — Out
Side and Total Leans
Despite a thinned-out roster, Dallas is laying -3.5 at home. That reflects recent form (including Monday’s 22-point win) and ESPN’s matchup predictor, which gives the Mavericks a 70.7% win probability. But that number is inflated by names who are either out or doubtful tonight.
Over/Under at 241.5 still feels steep given how many primary options are out — particularly with Cooper Flagg (18.8 PPG, 47.8 FG%) listed as doubtful. Without his scoring and tempo, the Mavs may struggle to keep pace with their own previous explosion. The only caveat would be another outburst of a showcase vibe from Klay Thompson.
🧠 Lean: Jazz +3.5 🧠 Lean: Under 241.5
If Flagg and Gafford both sit, and Dallas can’t get out in transition, expect a grindier version of Wednesday’s track meet. If you were of the mind that the Jazz would refuse to win this game under any circumstances, taking Dallas is defensible. At this point, both teams are slowly morphing into the final tank-y form. It is just tough to see the Mavericks winning again, given the tumbleweeds rolling through the lineup.
Player Props
Naji Marshall o18.5 Points (−106) Marshall has been one of Dallas’ steadiest contributors during the injury purge — scoring 22 or better in his last three efforts. With Cooper Flagg likely out again and PJ Washington managing an ankle, Marshall’s mid-post game and slashing lanes remain live against a Jazz team that is not in try-hard mode on defense. There’s room here for a clean 7-of-13 with free throws on top.
Brice Sensabaugh o18.5 Points (−106) With Lauri Markkanen out again, Sensabaugh has taken the scoring reins for Utah — notching 27 points Thursday on a hyper-efficient 10-of-15 from the floor. He’s hit 26+ in three of his last four, and even with Max Christie returning for Dallas, the matchup remains juicy. Christie is expected to take on primary wing defense responsibilities but is just returning from illness, and may not have full lateral burst or game legs yet. Sensabaugh’s blend of strength and footwork could still carve up this thinned Mavs perimeter.
